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India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has finally opened up on the snub of the star Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson from the playing XI in the ongoing T20I series against the England National Cricket Team.
Gautam Gambhir said that he has provided the clarity to Sanju Samson over his snub and had a personal conversation with the wicketkeeper-batsman, which would remain private. Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir was greeted with 'We want Sanju Samson' chants after the loss in the third T20I.
Sanju Samson dropped from the Playing XI vs England, left out of the Zimbabwe tour
Sanju Samson was first dropped from the playing XI amid the England series and then omitted from the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I tour of Zimbabwe.
Samson's exclusion from the second T20I against England came after scores of 5, 0 and 1 across the Ireland and England series, with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replacing him at the top of the order.
However, Cricinfo has reported that those three low scores were not the primary reason behind his omission from the Zimbabwe squad. According to the report, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee viewed the Zimbabwe tour as an opportunity to test fringe players.
Since Samson is already part of India's plans for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the selectors reportedly decided to hand Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh an opportunity to gain international exposure.
Prabhsimran Singh earned the call-up after impressive performances in the IPL over the last two seasons and his recent outings for India A in the tri-series in Sri Lanka. The decision has nevertheless sparked widespread debate because it came just months after Samson played a pivotal role in India's successful T20 World Cup campaign.
He finished as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer and was named the Player of the Tournament after producing three successive match-winning half-centuries in the knockout phase. He also carried that form into IPL 2026, finishing as Chennai Super Kings' leading run-getter with two centuries. Still his back-to-back omission from the playing XI and the Zimbabwe squad has inevitably raised questions about the fierce competition for places.
With Ishan Kishan and Prabhsimran Singh now in the squad alongside the rapidly emerging Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Samson faces another challenge in reclaiming a regular spot despite his recent achievements.
Gautam Gambhir explains Sanju Samson snub, keeps private chat under wraps
Speaking to media after India's 125-loss to England in the third T20I, Gautam Gambhir hailed Sanju Samson's performance in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, but stated that they are forced to look at the current form as well while making decisions on the playing XI.
"The clarity Sanju Samson needed, I’ve already given that to him and that conversation will remain between the coach and the player," Gambhir told reporters.
“As far as clarity is concerned, we are absolutely clear what Sanju has done for India during the World Cup has been phenomenal and sometimes you just have to look at the form as well of a certain player."
And there’s nothing like hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series - Gautam Gambhir on Sanju Samson
The India head coach further confirmed that there are chances of Sanju Samson returning to India's Playing XI in the ongoing series against England as the visitors went 0-2 down following the latest setback.
“And there’s nothing like hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series. And more importantly, ultimately international cricket is about result. So, whatever we feel is the best combination to give us the results, we play that combination, we play that playing 11, and that is what I’ve always been a big believer that everyone needs to earn their place. Everyone needs to earn the right to play for India," Gautam Gambhir said.
The start of Shreyas Iyer as T20I captain has been absolutely horrible as he first lost the two-match T20I series to Ireland, and currently his team is 0-2 down against England, with a draw being the best possible result for the visitors.
Speaking on India's recent struggles under Shreyas Iyer, Gautam Gambhir stated that they haven't adapted well to the conditions, which has led to their downfall.
“We haven’t adapted well. That’s the reality be it Ireland or in England. The results are in front of you. If we had adapted well, played better cricket we may not have lost four matches in a row," he said.
